But when she turned toward Galt and Jeremiah, Covenant spoke. In a low rasp like the subtle scrape of a saw on rotted wood, he said, “Linden, listen to me.”

She faced him. After an instant of hesitation, she went to stand over him so that he would not need to raise his voice.

“What is it?” she asked softly. Had he remembered something? Something that might help her with Jeremiah?

“I want you to understand,” he replied. “Whatever you have to do, I’m on your side. For what it’s worth, I think you’re doing the right thing. You said it yourself. First things first. Everything else can wait.” With a touch of grim humor, he added, “It’s not like any of our problems are going to solve themselves.

“But—” His voice caught. When he continued, he seemed to be forcing himself. “Wild magic is like a beacon. Especially now. If you decide to try it—and remember I’m on your side—any number of our enemies will know where we are. They’ll feel it. Even if they aren’t Elohim.”

Awkwardly he spread his hands as if to show her that they were full of darkness. “Please believe me, Linden. I’m not advising you. I’m not trying to tell you what to do—or what not to do. Just be aware. There’s more than one kind of danger here. Caesures aren’t the only bad thing that can happen when somebody uses white gold.”

Linden heard the tension in his tone; but she was not really listening. As soon as she realized that he had nothing to offer except a warning, her attention shied away. She could not afford to be even more afraid. Not now. Not while her first and most necessary commitment was to Jeremiah.

She had already been given enough warnings.

As if she were answering Covenant’s appeal, she said, “So Kastenessen knows where Joan is.”

“That’s not—!” Covenant began with sudden ferocity. But then he caught himself. More mildly, he said, “Of course he knows. Hellfire, Linden. I’m starting to think even I know. Or I would, if I could just remember. Or I should be able to guess.

“All I’m trying to say is, I’m on your side.” He may have meant, Whatever happens. “I trust you.”

His response struck a sudden spark into the tinder of her heart. Before she could stop herself, she retorted in a whisper as scalding as tears, “You keep saying that, but I don’t know what it means. You told me not to touch you!”

Do you think I love anyone enough to leave Jeremiah the way he is?